Beware of psychopaths under — or in — your bed.
One psychologist with experience treating the neuropsychiatric disorder has revealed the top warning signs that someone close to you might be more than just a little bit antisocial — and the probability could be higher than you think.
Writing for Psychology Today, Kurt W. Ela revealed that rubbing up against psychopaths is a part of daily life for many Americans, particularly in the Northeastern states.
An associate professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Ela makes his home in Washington, D.C. — considered to be the capital of psychopathy in the Lower 48 states, with Connecticut, Maine, New York and Maryland rounding out the grim top 5.
Psychopathy, much like sociopathy, is not a recognized psychiatric diagnosis — the closest a mental health professional like Ely can get to the definition is antisocial personality disorder, or ASPD, which features traits of both.
“Common hallmarks of this disorder are regularly flouting the law; lying/deception; being prone to aggressiveness; and not experiencing remorse or guilt. It is also difficult for those with antisocial personality disorder to form meaningful emotional attachments or experience deep empathy,” Ely wrote.
Another common trait, Ely wrote, is career choice. Psychopaths are drawn to professions that “require a strong degree of detachment,” such as civil servants, surgeons, lawyers and CEOs.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), approximately 1.2 percent of men and 0.3-0.7 of of women possess enough traits to be considered psychopathic.
While Ely hastens to add that these individuals are “not necessarily violent,” like the weirdos and serial killers you might see in movies and on television, they probably “do not make great neighbors.”
Here’s what to do when you find yourself in confrontation with someone you’re worried might be a psychopath, in the interest of limiting ‘negative encounters,’ according to Ela.
Or you could just move to North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Nebraska, and South Carolina — the five states with the lowest rates of occurrence.
First, trust your instincts
“There are often warning signs when you are dealing with a person who has antisocial traits. They may ask you for more favors or special treatment than they are willing to reciprocate. Their emotions may be “off,” or they may show little interest in you or your life. You may just feel uncomfortable around them without knowing why. If you experience any of these feelings, you will probably wish to distance yourself,” Ela said.
Let them know that you know
“It is important that the sociopathic individual knows that you are onto them. This way they realize that they cannot manipulate or take advantage of you. It will also be important not to share overly personal information which can later be used against you. Instead, keep interactions bland and superficial.”
Just steer clear
“An individual with ASPD can be impulsive and vindictive. If they feel wronged or challenged, things can escalate quickly. And since they worry less about social consequences and do not experience remorse, their actions can be dangerous.”
